Archon Symposium and Lenten Retreat held on The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church

The Church of the Annunciation in Elkins Park, PA was the setting for the Philadelphia region's fifth Archon Symposium/Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 2nd which focused on the upcoming historic Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which has not occurred in 1200 years. With the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, the topic of the upcoming Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church was addressed by Fordham University Professor of Theology, and the Order of Saint Andrew's Historian Archon George E. Demacopoulos, Ph.D. With some 70 attendees, as well as five priests of the Metropolis of New Jersey (host Proistamenos Fr. John Johns, Fr. Ambrose Bitziadis-Bowers, Dean of St. George Cathedral in Philadelphia, Archimandrite Fr. George Kouvelis of St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA, Fr. Christos Christofides of Holy Trinity, Wilmington, DE and Fr. George Liacopoulos, Ph.D. of Holy Trinity, Egg Harbor, NJ), the Professor enlightened the group with an historical reflection of the first seven Ecumenical Councils all taking place in and around Constantinople. Then after a question and answer period, Archon Demacopoulos proceeded to discuss the six topics, of the original ten proposed, being brought forth to the Holy and Great Council for resolution taking place on the Island of Crete in June.

The detailed presentation, offered by the Professor (without written notes), was exceedingly educational, engaging, and sparked many questions from the audience. By popular demand, this was the third time that Professor Demacopoulos has been invited by Archon Regional Commander Cary J. Limberakis, DMD to speak at the Philadelphia Archon Symposia. Professor of Theology, Archon Demacopoulos is the Fr. John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies and Co-Director of Fordham's Orthodox Christian Studies Center (http://www.fordham.edu/orthodoxy).

National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis who also participated in the speaking program very briefly outlined the sacred mission of the Order of Saint Andrew as Defenders of the Faith serving the needs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Mother Church and His All-Holiness Bartholomew, who is observing his 25th anniversary as Ecumenical Patriarch, First Among Equals.